Welcome 2022 Run The Ritter Trail Race Registrants:
We are excited to offer our 4th annual Run The Ritter fall trail races. With a full field of 250 we are looking forward to hosting you on Saturday, November 12.
The information below will direct you on what to expect for Saturday’s races.
RUN THE RITTER WEBSITE:
A website has been newly launched for Run The Ritter events. www.runtheritter.com has information about the race and is still a new work in progress. In the near future we will have a photo gallery from our past events, past and present results and other information needed moving forward. Additionally a facebook and instagram site is also managed and information posted as needed.
TIMELINE:
7:00am Bib Number Pick-Up begins near Pavilion (located in the park within walking distance of your parked vehicle)
7:50am Pre-Race Announcements begin near start/finish area
8:00am Start of the 5 mile distance (RRCA MN 2022 State 5 Mile championship)
8:05am Start of all other distances (10 mile, 15 mile and 3 mile)
Noon: Finish line shuts down
ADDRESS:
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Parkway Trail; Lakeville, MN 55044
PARKING:
Carpooling is strongly encouraged. We are at full park capacity this year and ask you to park as directed when you drive into the parking area. This is crucial to the future of this race.
As you enter Ritter Parkway Trail, after crossing over I35, you will make a right turn and pass the Ritter dog park on your right. It is an approximate half mile to the official park entrance where parking will begin. We will have parking officials directing incoming vehicles to parking spots. Please wait for direction as you enter the park.
DOGS:
There are no dogs allowed on the race course with any runner. We love dogs, we really do, but they are not allowed with their runner on the official race course due to liability and insurance specifications.
BIB NUMBER PICK-UP AND CHIP TIMING:
Please allow at least 20 minutes additional time for packet pickup due to potential long lines of all arriving at the same time. Officially, bib pickup will begin at 7am with each distance race having their own bib pick-up line. You will be given your bib number (which is chip embedded) and your t-shirt. The bib number must be worn in front of your outer clothing so that it activates with the timing mat. The race is being chip timed. Please start your race distance at your designated start time of either 8 or 8:05am. The parking lot is not far for those that choose to stay warm in your vehicle until pre-race announcements.
PORTABLE TOILETS:
We will have a total of 4 portable toilets located on site and one additional stationary handicapped unit. All units will be located close to the start/finish area near the pavilion.
THE RACE COURSE:
The race shares a common start/finish line (with exception of the 3 mile fun run finish). The course consists of a 3 mile outer loop connected to a 2 mile inner loop. The 5 mile runners will not repeat any loops and will finish where you started. The 10 and 15 miler will repeat the course by taking the “loop” chute near the finish line to begin a second or third lap. The 3 mile fun run course finish line is in the parking lot after passing the fantastic Ritter silo. This is not officially timed but all 3 mile finishers will be welcomed in and given their finish line wooden medal.
The course is well marked with a combination of arrow signage showing major turns and supported by ground pin flagging that will mark your route on the entire course supported by mile markers. Note that the mile markers may not reflect your exact GPS which is common on trail runs.
The terrain is a wide runnable trail with a few rolling hills that is not considered technical but does have areas of some rocks and roots. There is no single track. Mile 1 going out to Mile 2 is the same mile backwards from Mile 4 to Mile 5. Find the course map information at www.runtheritter.com We have poster sized course maps at check-in to also view. The total course (5 mile loop) has approximately 500′ of ascent total.
DROP BAGS:
We will have a small section marked with a ground tarp to the left of the start/finish dedicated to drop bags for anyone wanting to leave gear and warm-up bags for their finish or between their 10 and 15 mile loops. This will be completely self-supportive and will not be secured but is not isolated.
AID STATIONS:
We will have one aid station table set up near the 3 mile point of the course after you pass the silo. This will be stocked with water and Gatorade as well as pre-packaged chips and cookie bars. All runners will pass this aid station once per 5 mile loop at the 3 mile point.
POST-RACE HOT BREAKFAST:
This will be located in the Pavilion which is a 30 second walk from the finish line. Back by popular demand, we are happy to again offer a hot breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage and pancakes that will be served by the plate under the Pavilion and prepared by a professional caterer. Also available will be chocolate milk, water and hot water to prepare instant hot chocolate or coffee.
MERCHANDISE:
Available for purchase in limited supply will be fleece hoodies, long sleeved t-shirts, buffs, ceramic camper coffee mugs and drink cups. Cash, check or credit card via square app will be accepted. This will be located near the post-race breakfast.
RACE RESULTS:
Race results are live and will be posted at:
Official results will be posted on our website with noted awards.
AWARDS:
All finishers of all events will receive a wooden medal at the finish line.
Overall male and female winners of each of the 5, 10 and 15 mile will receive:
Complimentary entry certificate to the 2023 Run The Ritter events.
5 mile RRCA Awards: Open male and female; 40+ male and female; 50+ male and female; 60+ male and female
THE SILO:
Please take a few minutes to grab a pre or post-race selfie by the silo, which is the namesake of Ritter Farm Park and post your pics to your FB site and/or Instagram and tag Run The Ritter and hashtag #runtheritter2022. The silo is in our logo and a part of all things Ritter Farm Park. We will have a banner backdrop set up near the silo. Have fun with it.
RUN THE RITTER GIVES BACK:
The Run The Ritter trail race donates back a portion of all entry fees to the sustainability of the Ritter park trails that are borrowed, prairie restoration and woodland management. This donation is annually given to the City of Lakeville Parks and Recreation and earmarked for Ritter Farm Park. More information will be posted on our website about a recently received award grant also targeting event sustainability.
FINAL COMMENTS:
No one tells Mother Nature what to do and we eagerly await what she has in store for us on race day. In the event of dangerous weather that will jeopardize safety we will do our best to notify via social media and our website. Otherwise, we do look forward to hosting you with a promise of fresh air, exercise and time in the woods as a beautiful way to start the day.
On behalf of my race operations committee, and in my role as event director, we wish you all a great time at our 4th annual Run The Ritter. See you on Nov 12.
Paulette Odenthal
Run The Ritter Event Director
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